The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-11-18
THE COLUMBIAN AND DEMOCRAT. BLoOMsBuRG COLUMBIA

any disturbance. ffe pointed to the roof at
the Jail, which was literally studded with
officers armed with repeating rifles.
when get TO heaven III put In good
word for Bill Stobien lone Of the guards),
said Fischer TO his death watch. Stobie has
been very kind TO the condemned men. At
1925 Fischer talked gayly with his guard.
Spies had lit another cigar and also talked
to his keeper. He exhibited signs of nervous
ness He received letter, and ParsoB a
telegram. Engel walked up and down his
cell. He was offered some stimulant but re-
fused it
At 1880 County Physician Meyer took his
leave of the men, 10 whose health he has been
daily ministering for the past seventeen
months. All Of them shook hands, but not
one Of them displayed the slightest emotion.
From 1880 to II Spies occupied himself in
reading paper. The others paced up and
down their cells, stopping at every turn to
look out through the bars like Gagged ami
mails. The narrow corridor upon which the
cells Of the quartette look was filled with
deputies. The scaffold was not painted, and
was brown with age and usage.
There was space Of about two feet be-
tween each Of the ropes and the four nooses
| nuUk Ou u utuu ltNtf uo TOpt was uRnb,
but OF substantial make.
At 11:10 the jury filed in and took their
places in the double row OF chairs which had
been reserved In front Of the press tables
The spectators, of whom there are less than
200, were admitted to the rear. Altogether
the corridor was not half filled.
The cells on the first floor as well as those
on the two upper tiers were emptied of their
occupants The gathering was quiet and de-
corous Hats were removed and cigars
thrown away. There was none Of the crowd
ing, pushing, smoking, swearing mob that
disgraced the execution of the Italians two
years ago.
The names Of the jurors were called, and
each rose to respond. Then there was quiet
deep, awful quiet. 1t was as though every
man had ceased breathing; as il the earth
stood still; as If the blood was congealing in
the veins of the anxious spectators. The
stiffness was broken by a wail-a weird,
grewsome sound. 1t was only the pet
Jail cat but it pales the cheek of
many man who at another time
| would make the event source Of hilarity.
| The ANIMAL which had been secured in an
| adjoining cage, is taken out, and again the
stiffness of suspense. Through the high
| barred frames of glass directly back Of the
| scaffold score of armed men were visible.
| They were as motionless as statues, their
| guns at their shoulders, and the muzzles
bearing directly on the gallows window.
| The moments passed on. A report gained
currency that the sheriff was holding of
until the last moment in expectation that
| something would be htSrd from Springfield.
Suddenly the face of Deputy Gleason was
seen at the entrance Of the corridor leading
1 ~, Fold His xpbi ba
trembling in every limb. He raised his hand.
The moment had arrived. The shufiipg OF
feet is heard in the corridor. 1t was II 40 to
the minute. Sheriff Matson appeared, his
back to the gathering he was facing the
| procession. Spies came into view
a broad shouldered bailiff was or
his right; next came Fischer, then Engel
| All three stepped from the second tier oi
cells to the scaffold the spectators drew o
long breath. parsons is savedln was the
| word that goes around, but it was not 10 be
A second later and Parsons appeared. The
four men were placed upon the trap. AL
were ghastly pale. Spies hair seemed tc
literally stand upon end Engel's shoulder,
seemed nearly to touch the top of his head
Parsons set his teeth firmly together ant
looked down calmly upon the crowd beneath
His face was the face Of a man of iron.
murmur of admiration for his unfiinchine
nerve goes through the SPECTATORS
Engel turned around and said somethins
inaudible to the deputy. II was evidently o.
jocular character, for the condemned mar
laughed heartily. Fischer looked at him !
m oment, and then he, too, put in a remark
Spies and Parsons, at either end of the scaf
fold, maintained a stolid and dignihed de
meanor, but there was look Of unutterabl,
woe on the face of the ex-editor, which
pierced the hearts of those sure unding tn.
scaffold. The shrouds had already been cd
justed before the men left their cells. NOTHING
remained but to encircle each neck with nv
moose, and to cover each head with. the cap
Jailer Folz approached Spies. A quic
movement, so quick that it could hardl.
be noticed. and the rope was around his necl
and being drawn taut. There Is not move
ment Of a muscle The same stolid look, th
same woe begone look from the eyes. Fol
moved a step, and in moment the throat 9
Fischer was encircled by the moose, II
moved his head up and down as if it hur
him. Engel did not move as the operation
was being performed Parsons riveted hi
gaze on the ground and his feature
were contracted. All four were evident
ly determined to die game. A deput,
approached Spies with the cap in hi
hands. The condemned man said something
In an undertone He was evidently remon
strating. The deputy wavered for mo
ment. Spies spoke still more earnestly. Tn
| deputy looks at the sheriff; the latter close'
his eyes, 1t is enough. The cap was quickl.
drawn over the face of the Anarchist leader
1t has been seen for the last time in life
The head of Engel was next covered, thei
Fischer, Parsons last. Fischer's head move'
| up and down in the direction of the sheriff
who, with his hands upon the iron railing o
the gallery, was ready to give the signal
1t was as though the Anarchist, as well a
he could in his muslin covered head, wa
eckoning the sheriff to approach him. Tha
! fficial, however, did not respond. Their
was a moment Of deathlike stiffness. Thel
clear and distinct came the voice Of Spies
His form straightens up. The muslil
seems TO move in harmony with hi
lips "Our silence is more powerful thai
speech" That was all, but there was a rim
to it that echoes far away down the corridor
Silence again for a second Then in round
full voice shout "Hurrah for anarchy
comes from Engel Another pause broker
this time by the voice Of Fischer. "This
the happiest moment Of my lfew He ha
had his say. Then the clear, we'll modulate
ness. There was not that enthusiastic rim
in it which marked the utterances of tn
others. 1t is not the voice Of judge deliy
erng decision. A scarcely definabl
I pause between each word "Shall
!. be allowed to speak, o me-
{ and women Of dear Americaa" TIL
sheriff shifted his position little He wa
D several feet away from the speaker, but tn
4 speaker must have seen the movemen
I through the folds of the cap. There was
n rising infection in his voice, not so much {
1 pleading as of demand. 'Let me speak c
: Sheriff Matson,n is what he says, "Let tn
c voice of the people be heard Dow
. went the drop. The last words of Parsor
o had died upon his lips. Four bodies swun
4 in empty air, and the Haymarket massacI
i was avenged.
CAPT. BLACKS INTERCEssION.
n He Telegraphs Sheriff Matson That til
o Mandate Is Illegal.
. CHICAGO, Nov. 11.-No one worked hardt
8 than Capt Black to save the Anarchists II
Il left for Springfield late last night to see u
Is governor and again intercede for the col
e iemned men, Capt, Black said he had pos
n tive knowledge that the Haymarket BON
+. was not thrown by Schnaubelt, and that |
!. could during the trial have produced Schnal
n belt in court, but was too much afraid Of Il
d rulings Judge Gary was making
d Capt. Black wired Schilling TO remain
Springfield, as he (Black) would arrive in Il
Nc morning at $50 to appear before the COVE
!. nor and urge stay in THO execution OF Pa
,. sons, on the ground that the latter isinsan